PARISH HISTORY

When the Rev. Joseph Salerno was named pastor of St. Mary of Mount Carmel in 1991, it came as a bit of a surprise. He had spent several months training to become a hospital chaplain and expected to become part of the pastoral care team at Community General Hospital in Syracuse. It didn’t turn out […]

“More Good News” is highlighting the history of our parish leading to its 125th anniversary. Here is Part One. We mark a significant milestone in 2021 — the 125th year of the birth of our parish. Although the first Mass celebrated in our building was in 1896, we can trace our lineage as far back […]

This is the second in a series of articles highlighting the history of our parish leading up to its 125th anniversary. Read Part 1 here. 1896-1903 With large and small monetary donations, and the sweat of those unable to give a financial contribution, a plot of land stretching from Catherine Street to Jay Street was […]

(Above: Mount Carmel School Class of 1921, the last class to graduate when Father Joseph Forma was pastor of Mount Carmel.) This is the third in a series of articles highlighting the history of our parish leading to its 125th anniversary. Previous articles and issues of “More Good News” are available at www.mountcarmelblessedsacrament.com. 1903-1933 Father […]

In the late 19th century, Italian immigrants in Utica longed for their own church. Brick by brick, they toiled to erect their dream. On Dec. 20, 1896, they celebrated the first Mass in Santa Maria di Monte Carmela in the basement of the unfinished church. Now, 125 years later, generations have called this place home. […]

This is the fourth in a series of articles highlighting the history of our parish leading to its 125th anniversary. Previous articles and issues of “More Good News” are available at www.mountcarmelblessedsacrament.com. 1934-1950 When Father William Pizzoglio became pastor in 1934, the parish had 2,035 families and 12,700 parishioners. His first endeavor was to conduct […]

This is the fifth in a series of articles highlighting the history of our parish leading to its 125th anniversary.  1950-1991 Father William Pizzoglio’s assistant, Father Joseph Berton, became Mount Carmel’s next pastor. Out of his 26 years of service, his most lasting contribution was the construction of the rectory on Jay Street. Despite the […]

Above: Father Jim and Bishop Douglas Lucia at the Men in Black softball game in 2019. This is the last in a series of articles highlighting the history of our parish leading to its 125th anniversary. Previous articles and issues of “More Good News” are available at www.mountcarmelblessedsacrament.com. 1991-present The next pastor after Father Henry […]